There are similar degrees of calmness, courage and gratitude in Bruce Cook91裸聊视频檚 voice when he reflects on the day that changed his life forever.

In January 2014, during a action sport show in Hamilton, Ont., Cook was seriously injured while attempting the world91裸聊视频檚 first ever double front flip on a motorcycle.

The trick didn91裸聊视频檛 go nearly as planned as Cook slid off the back of his bike, breaking a vertebrae and damaging his spinal cord. Cook had lost the use of his legs and would spend the next 66 days in hospital. The road to recovery wouldn91裸聊视频檛 be easy.

Still, once the initial shock had subsided, and as dire as his situation may have seemed to others, Cook quickly decided the injury wasn91裸聊视频檛 going to take control of his life or his passion.

91裸聊视频淚 knew (the injury) it was bad, but at the same time I realized I was alive and the situation I was in was a lot better than the alternative, a little bittersweet I guess you could say,91裸聊视频� Cook said.

91裸聊视频淚 think I decided pretty early, that isn91裸聊视频檛 the way I pictured going out, on a stretcher and being wheeled out of an arena,91裸聊视频� he added. 91裸聊视频淚 decided it wasn91裸聊视频檛 going to be my last time. I had to get back out on that bike, get in front of a crowd and do it least one more time.91裸聊视频�

Four years later, using a modified bike, the 30-year-old Cook is going strong, displaying his talents at Nitro Circus shows all across North America.

Next month, for the first time ever, Cook will perform his trademark backflip in his hometown when Nitro comes to Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 Apple Bowl.

91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 sure it91裸聊视频檚 going to be pretty overwhelming,91裸聊视频� Cook said of the Kelowna show. 91裸聊视频淭here have been fans and support from all over the world, so to finally be doing it at home will be exciting. Obviously most of my close friends are here, the majority of them have never seen me in Nitro, let alone anywhere else, so that91裸聊视频檒l be pretty special.91裸聊视频�

Growing up in the Cook household, the word 91裸聊视频渃an91裸聊视频檛91裸聊视频� simply wasn91裸聊视频檛 part of the family91裸聊视频檚 vocabulary, he said91裸聊视频攁 theme that formed the basis of what would be a long and challenging recovery.

91裸聊视频淢y dad and grandpa were the kind of people who said 91裸聊视频榃hen the going gets tough, the tough get going91裸聊视频� and that91裸聊视频檚 always stuck with me,91裸聊视频� he said.

After undergoing treatment at GF Strong in Vancouver, followed by several visits to Project Walk in California, Cook steadily regained his strength and confidence. Nine months to the day after the accident, with his newly-modified bike, Cook was riding again.

Then, a month after that, in November 2014, the moment Cook had long anticipated, he landed his first backflip in Maryland.

91裸聊视频淭hat was a pretty emotional moment for me,91裸聊视频� said Cook. 91裸聊视频淏efore that, I really, honestly didn91裸聊视频檛 know if it was possible. It was feeling I91裸聊视频檇 never experienced.

91裸聊视频淎 lot of people think it91裸聊视频檚 stupid, getting back on something that almost killed me,91裸聊视频� he added. 91裸聊视频淏ut it91裸聊视频檚 an extreme passion of mine, I91裸聊视频檝e been riding since I was five. It was something I had to do or I91裸聊视频檇 regret it. I had so much support from family and friends along the way, and that was really important.91裸聊视频�

Now more than 100 shows later, close friend Kevin Bosch continues to admire Cook91裸聊视频檚 resolve, passion and dedication to his craft.

Then again, Bosch, who has supported Cook throughout his journey, isn91裸聊视频檛 the least bit surprised his friend has overcome the odds, both in life and in his work.

91裸聊视频淭here were a lot of questions at first, what being a paraplegic would mean, him not being able to walk,91裸聊视频� said Bosch, who met Cook on a job site 10 years ago. 91裸聊视频淏ut in my dealings with him, I knew he would get through it. I91裸聊视频檝e seen the guy bouncing off the pavement from 50 feet in the air, get up and give a thumbs up. I knew mentally he would be OK.

91裸聊视频淗e was positive from day one in the hospital and that has followed him all the way along.91裸聊视频�

In addition to his exploits on a motorcycle, Bosch marvels at how Cook91裸聊视频檚 example serves as inspiration and motivation for so many others facing challenges in their own lives.

91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 proud, beyond words, proud of what he91裸聊视频檚 accomplished post-accident,91裸聊视频� Bosch said. 91裸聊视频淗e91裸聊视频檚 encouraged people literally across the world. It91裸聊视频檚 unreal to hear a mom talk about her little son who has been down and out, in a wheelchair for example, and how Bruce puts a smile on his face and gives him hope. Or just kids who are struggling day to day. It91裸聊视频檚 amazing, inspirational.91裸聊视频�

As for Cook91裸聊视频檚 future plans as a performer, he has no specific plans to retire but knows change will soon be on the way.

91裸聊视频淎s far as a dirt bike goes, I have nothing to prove,91裸聊视频� Cook said. 91裸聊视频淚 think I have at least another year or two of touring in me, then maybe look at other things. 91裸聊视频淲hen I get some time, I would like to do some keynote speaking, to try and help people who are injured or down on their luck,91裸聊视频� he added. 91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檝e had a long career and a good one, and I91裸聊视频檇 like to give back.91裸聊视频�

Cook is about to hit the road for another season on the Nitro Circus tour, beginning with the first show April 28 in Edinburg, Texas.

Four weeks later, on May 25, Cook will perform at the Apple Bowl in Kelowna.

To report a typo, email: edit@kelownacapnews.com.

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